Dr. Parkavi Sabanathan , DClinPsy (Australia)

I am an Australian-trained Clinical Psychologist with 13 years of experience working with adolescents, adults, and families.  I work closely with adults navigating anxiety, low mood, and periods of stress or life transition, and I support young people and their families experiencing emotional, behavioural, and relationship challenges. My aim is to help adults, adolescents, and families navigate challenges with increased understanding, confidence, and self-compassion. 

I see therapy as a shared process, where we work together to make sense of what’s going on, clarify what matters to you, and develop strategies that feel realistic and helpful in everyday life. I strive to create a calm, non-judgmental space where you can feel genuinely heard, understood, and supported. 

I have experience supporting adolescents and adults during periods of high emotional distress and risk and I approach this work with care, calm, and a strong focus on safety and support.  I also offer work with parents and families, offering parent coaching and guidance, helping them better understand their child’s emotional world and find ways to respond to, and tailor their parenting to strengthen connection and reduce ongoing stress.

Having lived, studied, and worked across four countries, I am mindful of how culture, identity, and life transitions shape our experiences and relationships. These experiences inform a culturally sensitive and thoughtful approach, grounded in respect for each person’s background and values. 

My work is informed by evidence-based behavioural therapies, including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). I tailor therapy to each individual, drawing on strengths and values to support growth, resilience, and greater clarity.

Works with Clients:
Children (1 yr+), Adolescents, Adults 

Languages:
English, Tamil

Services Offered

• Individual Therapy
• Parent Intake
• Psychometric Assessment
• Sibling Therapy
• Parental Guidance

Treatment Approaches

• Acceptance & Commitment Therapy
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
• Dialectical Behaviour Therapy
• Schema Therapy
• Solution-Focused Therapy
• Motivational Interviewing

Presenting Concerns

General Concerns:

• Personal growth and self-improvement
• Stress
• Anxiety
• Panic attacks
• Low mood or depression
• Adjustment to recent life events or circumstances (Not trauma)

Specific Concerns:

• Anger, irritability, emotional outbursts and severe moodswings
• Obsessive, repetitive and ritualistic thinking and behaviour
• Situation-specific fear and phobias
• Unusual sensations, thoughts or beliefs not shared by others

Relationship Concerns: 

• General dissatisfaction or improvement of romantic relationships
• Divorce, separation and break-ups in romantic relationships
• Parenting and parental relationship concerns
• Family and family relationship concerns
• Non-romantic and non-familial relationship concerns

Minors:

• Minor-related concerns (all minors)

Trauma: 

• Trauma or traumatic events (past or historic)

Qualifications & Memberships

• DClinPsy, Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, Griffith University (Australia)
• BA, Psychology, University of Newcastle (Australia)
• Registered with the Dubai Health Authority (DHA), UAE